FORMER UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has been told he should be driving Dana White “crazy” to save the promotion’s final pay-per-view card of the year.
UFC 310 was set to be headlined by a 170lbs title fight between newly-crowned champion Belal Muhammad and the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.
UFCUFC 310 was supposed to be headlined by Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov[/caption]
GETTYBut newly-crowned welterweight king Muhammad was forced out of the December dust-up with a bone infection[/caption]
GETTYFormer welterweight king Leon Edwards has been urged to step up for a short-notice fight with the Kazakh killer[/caption]
But the card’s showpiece bout was thrown into disarray late last month when Muhammad withdrew from his maiden title defence due to a bone infection in one of his toes.
The UFC are scrambling to find a replacement opponent for Rakhmonov and SunSport understands an interim title could end up being introduced.
Former long-reigning titleholder Kamaru Usman is in the mix to replace Muhammad, despite being on a three-fight skid.
But TNT Sports pundit Michael Bisping reckons fellow Brit Edwards should be badgering White and the rest of the brass to replace Muhammad.
He told SunSport: “He’s still a young man, I think he’s 32. [He’s] still got a lot of time left in this sport.
“Fight Shavkat! Say, ‘Screw it, let’s do it. Let’s do a five-to-six-week camp.
“Let’s roll the dice. Put me in, Dana. Put me in, coach.
“He should be calling Dana White up and driving him crazy right now.”
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How to Watch UFC 309
The UFC makes it’s annual visit to New York City on November 16 for another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 309 will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which provided some unforgettable moments since mixed martial arts was legalised in New York state in 2016.
Topping the bill at the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ is the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former titleholder Stipe Miocic.
And in the co-main event of the evening, Michael Chandler will throw down with former lightweight champion and fellow fan favourite Charles Oliveira.
UFC 309 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cards of what has been another massive year for MMA’s top promotion.
And fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from what promises to be an incredible night at MSG live on TNT Sports Box Office.
The penultimate pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 309 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
Edwards, 33, hasn’t fought since losing the title to Muhammad at UFC 304 in June.
He immediately set his sights on a winter return to kick start a second run to the title, which he defended twice before his decision defeat to Muhammad.
And Bisping reckons stepping in on short notice to halt Kazakh killer Rakhmonov’s flawless run to welterweight gold would be the perfect way for Edwards to earn a shot at redemption.
‘The Count’ said: “As you say, he’s kind of been forgotten about all of a sudden.
“That’s probably because Leon’s a quiet guy. He keeps himself to himself.
“He doesn’t do a lot of interviews, and he’s not the type of guy to go out there and get all crazy and say some outlandish things that do get you headlines that do get you talked about.
“Leon does his talking inside the octagon, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s a shame that this happened so close to the fight.
“Had it been a few weeks earlier, I would have said Leon Edwards, ‘Put your [name in] and contact the UFC and say you versus Shavkat.’
“Because that’s the perfect fight for Leon. If he beats Shavkat Rakhmanov, all of a sudden, he gets a rematch with Belal Mohammed.
GETTYLeon Edwards hasn’t fought since losing the welterweight strap to Belal Muhammad[/caption]
GETTYBrit legend Michael Bisping reckons a win over Shavkat Rakhmonov would be the perfect way for Edwards to get a second title shot[/caption]
“If he beats Shavkat, who’s on an 18-fight win streak, all finishes. And it’s a fight that Leon could do very well in.
“I mean, he just beat Kamara Usman twice in a row.
“Of course, he beat Colby [Covington] as well, but the more impressive one was stopping Kamaru and then beating him by decision.
“Look at what Kamaru did against Khamzat Chimaev. That has aged really nicely since Khamzat went out there and destroyed Robert Whittaker.
“So what Leon did to Kamaru speaks volumes and Leon obviously wants to be the champion again.”
TNT Sports pundit Michael Bisping spoke to SunSport ahead of UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic.
Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November. For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice.
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